In Situ Synthesis of Rapid Hemostatic Zeolite/Gauze Composites on Pre-Seeded Gauze

Traumatic hemorrhage is a leading cause of mortality, posing a significant threat to life. Zeolite has been recognized as a promising hemostatic material due to its unique features, including a micropore structure and absorption properties. However, the zeolite-based hemostatic material can cause tissue burns or thrombosis mainly due to the significant heat released during hydration or the residual zeolite particles in trauma tissues. Focusing on this problem, we developed a Beta zeolite/gauze composite hemostatic material using an innovative pre-deposition seeding and in situ growth strategy. This method effectively produces cubic-shaped Beta crystals (∼200 nm) that are firmly anchored to the gauze fibers. The pre-deposited seeds help subsequent crystal growth and nutrient consumption, resulting in a material with high zeolite loading (25.8%), strong adhesion (zeolite retention after three times of sonication was ∼96.1%), and relatively low hydration enthalpy (282.9 J/g). In both in vivo and in vitro tests, the Beta-P/Gauze group demonstrated a mean clotting time and blood loss approximately half that of plain gauze while causing minimal thermal damage. This improved performance is ascribed to its high zeolite loading and excellent absorption capacity. Combining mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and high efficacy, Beta-P/Gauze offers a promising option for emergency trauma care.